Globalization, bringing about universal and dynamic transformations in
every sector of the economy, is placing organizations everywhere in new
and different competitive situations. In this context, the need for improvement of
enterprise performance and economic growth makes increasing demands
for timely knowledge in the workplace. The knowledge resource and its effective management enables institutions and nations to maintain their vitality through economic growth and increased productivity.
This chapter highlights the European strategy towards a knowledge-based society
where innovation and competitiveness are the goals to be achieved. The
Portuguese scenario concerning small and medium enterprises and the
creation of a Portuguese knowledge and information economy are also
described. Some approaches to knowledge management (KM), contributing
to understanding the scope of this emergent domain, are introduced. The
skills and competencies that a knowledge manager should develop in
order to perform his/her job are discussed. The chapter concludes by
mapping the main areas of study and practice that the authors consider
as relevant to performing an effective knowledge management function.

Descrição:

This chapter appears in Innovations of Knowledge Management edited by Montano, D. Copyright 2004, IGI Global, www.igi-global.com. Posted by permission of the publisher.